Tuesday, November 25, 2008

How To Deal With Pregnancy Back Pain

Nobody Enjoys Back Pains...

Pregnancy back pain during some stage of pregnancy is practically unavoidable.

It is estimated that 2/3rds of pregnant women will feel back and pelvic pain by their 36th week. As the baby grows and becomes heavier, additional pressure is placed on the back to support the mothers growing abdomen. Another contributor to back pain is the position of the growing baby in the womb. There are, however, many different factors that may bring on back pain in expecting mothers. Stress and over exertion can also be major factors, besides being unhealthy for the baby. While most back pain resolves itself a few months after giving birth, some back pain can be prevented altogether. Now wouldn't that be even better?

Take it Easy

Make time for frequent breaks and get plenty of rest. This doesn't mean to become a couch potato, but you should take more time to rest and relax. Put your feet up, grab a cup of your favorite decaffeinated soothing drink and take it easy now and then. Try to lie down once in a while and, if at all possible, try to minimize activities that put stress on your back. At work, dont sit for extended periods of time and when you are sitting, it is suggested that you place a pillow behind the small of your back.

Check your Stress

Stress alone can cause lower back pain. Try to relieve your stress, even if it is for just a few moments daily. Set aside 'mommy time' every day so that you can decompress, refresh and relax. Meditate, take a warm bath, listen to soothing music, anything that helps you relax. You will be surprised at how helpful just 10 minutes or so a day of this activity can be in relieving your stress.

Get a Pregnancy Girdle

The term, pregnancy girdle, has an ominous sound, but it can be a pregnant mothers best friend. It is designed to be worn under your clothing, much like a traditional girdle. But it is designed to better support and lift your stomach so that pressure is taken off of the back. You can pick up a pregnancy girdle at many maternity shops. You can always give it away to someone else for their baby shower after your baby is born.

Get Enough Exercise

Exercise can actually help with back pain and can help to strengthen the muscles in the back. Yoga is a great exercise for this purpose. Walking is great, but you need some strengthening and stretching exercises as well, that you do not get with just walking. Ask around to see if there are any pregnancy exercise classes and pregnancy yoga. If classes arent your thing, you can find several pregnancy yoga and pregnancy exercise DVDs, sometimes even for free at your public library. Just make sure that you check with your doctor before you start any exercise program. Once he gives you the green light, though, go for it.

Eat Healthy

You would think that this would be common sense. But expecting mothers can sometimes have odd food cravings. Or, sometimes, they may be eating the same as they did before pregnancy, and therefore not eating enough for two. Eating right can help in many ways. First, eating healthy will help keep you from gaining additional weight. The less extra weight you are carrying, the less pressure you have on your back. Second, healthy eating helps your body ward off illness and actually helps it deal with pain more efficiently. Finally, drinking plenty of water will keep your kidneys working properly, which can create another type of lower back pain. Healthy eating is better for you and better for your baby.


About the Author:

Spencer Hunt is a bilingual wellness consultant who enjoys writing about health topics such as Mannatech Ambrotose Supplements. For Glyconutrients: http://www.ifoundhealth.com/




Read More

It's a Girl Silk Baby Pillows

These simple silk screen printed, "It's a Girl" Silk Baby pillows are an easy way to create some expensive looking custom baby pillow slip covers on a small budget! They make a wonderful homemade baby gift.These simple "It's a Girl" Silk Baby silk screen pillows also make a great homemade baby girl gift you can easily make.Silk printing is a great way to make a lot of prints on your silk baby pillow fabric from one piece of art.You do need a large open work surface to create silkscreen art, but beyond that, the rest for the materials are generally affordable and easy to find at any art supply store.To make your Silk Screen Printed Custom "It's a Girl" Silk Baby Pillow Covers you will need:Solid colored silk fabricNewspaperPre Made Silk-screenExacto KnifeSqueegeeVellumPencilPainter's tapeDesignFabric paint No Sew (optional)Sewing Machine (optional)The first step is to draw the desired Custom "It's a Girl!" design on vellum. You could also transfer your design by placing vellum over the Custom Baby Girl design and tracing it with a pencil. For ease you could print out your "Its a Girl!" out on your computer in a pretty font. Print them out to size and trace onto the vellum.

You can easily see through vellum by placing it on a lighted artist tables or even in a window when there is daylight outside to shine through.I like to use a script or girly font for the silk baby pillows. You can complete these designs in one step since there is only one color.Now, if your Custom "It's a Girl" Silk Baby silk screen printing pillow cover design is going to have more than one color then you will need to have more than one screen. Basically, you use one silk screen for each pastel color.Tip: Beginners may find it easier to start out only making one color and one silk screen.Now, Cut out the "It's a Girl" Baby designs on each piece of vellum with a sharp craft knife. Sort of think of this like creating a stencil. Now, you need to attach the vellum design to the back of the silk-screen with painter's tape.You can buy pre made silk screens at the art supply store. You could also build yours out of wood. Now, you need to place several paper towels or layers of newspaper print out on the work surface. This is important because you need to absorb paint. You will also need a padded work area. Place solid pillow cover fabric on top of the paper towels, and put the Custom "It's a Girl" Baby silk-screen on the silk fabric. I like to make marks on the fabric at each of the four outer corners of the silk screen. This is important if you are using multiple colors and multiple screens. You can later use these marks to line up the frame.Now pour some pastel pink silk fabric paint onto the silk-screen. You should pour this along the top edge. I recommend making a nice size puddle of paint. Next, Place the squeegee in the paint. You need to pull it slowly along the screen toward you. You need to hold the squeegee at a 45-degree angle. This is important.Once you have reached the bottom of the screen Reverse the angle of the squeegee. Push it back to the top of the silk-screen in one smooth motion.Now, remove the "It's a Girl" Baby silk screen and the squeegee. Let your wet fabric paint sit and dry completely.Sew the back onto the baby pillow front you just made. Simply face the patterns inside.Turn the Custom "It's a Girl" Silk Baby pillow cover inside out. Insert your pillow. Now, fold in the rough edges of the open side of the Custom Baby Girl pillow cover. Pin it closed with straight pins.Now, sew this side shut with a sewing machine, new sew, or by hand. Cut off any lose threads and you are finished.You can find most for the supplies your will need to create silkscreen art at the local art supply store. If you do not have an art supply store in your city, then try visiting wwww.dickblick.com or www.pearlpaint.com. Their websites are awesome and they sell everything online that they sell in their retail stores.


By RS

Read More

Monday, November 24, 2008

Baby Pillow Safety

It seems normal for everyone to use a pillow when they go to sleep. You might even think it's the only way you can sleep comfortably, however, when you are talking about a baby you would be wrong to think they can't sleep without a pillowIt doesn't make a lot of sense, all the crib bedding sets come with a pillow and yet the experts tell you not to put a pillow in a baby's crib. So what are the facts and what do you need to know about baby pillow safety?First of all even though most bedding sets come with pillows do not use them in a crib. Having a baby pillow in a crib increases the risk of a baby suffocating because they are unable to move away from the pillow if they should happen to end up with their face in it.How old does a baby need to be before you are able to give them that beautiful pillow that matches their crib bedding? Well unfortunately you really should wait until they are out of a crib and into a toddler bed. Doctor's also say around two years of age you can start giving a toddler a pillow if you want.Don't be fooled, just because you find it more comfortable to sleep with a pillow it is not necessary for a baby or toddler to sleep with a pillow to be comfortable. A toddler can very easily sleep comfortably without a pillow for a few years. However, you may find they begin to think of their pillow as something that provides security more than comfort for sleeping.

What do you do with that beautiful pillow that came with the crib bedding, since you can't use it now? You can do a few things with it to keep you baby safe. You can use it for tummy time while you are supervising your child on the floor. You can use it as a nursing pillow to help prop your baby up while you nurse. You could also turn it into a momento, and have it embroidered giving you a personalized baby pillow you can hand down to your baby when they get older.Even though the bedding may have come with a baby pillow please be aware of baby pillow safety and keep you baby safe by not use a baby pillow in her crib.
By Jackie Lee

Read More

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Baby Nursing Pillow Can Make Breastfeeding a More Pleasurable Experience

Baby nursing pillows are designed to make breastfeeding times more comfortable not only for the mother, but also for the baby. It can be very tiring for a brand new mother to sit up and breastfeed her baby as she often is already tired and a bit sore from the act of giving birth. It really is a shame if back aches prevents the new mom from enjoying these unforgettable moments of bonding with her baby. That is why so many mothers these days prefer nursing pillows.Most of the baby nursing pillows are U shaped so that they are able to fit around the waist of the mother. The spot for the baby is naturally on the pillow in front of the mother. The quality nursing pillows on the markets have found to reduce the strain on arms, shoulders and back greatly and so make the nursing of the baby a lot more pleasurable experience. This is especially important since many moms experience back pains and other pregnancy symptoms for a long period of time after the actual delivery.These pillows are designed specifically for moms that like to sit on a couch or bed while breastfeeding. They can be used just as well if the parents for some reasons wish to or have to bottle feed their baby. Even many fathers have reported that bottle feeding can be much more comfortable if using a baby nursing pillow.

The right kind of nursing pillow is both firm and soft. The point of these pillows isn't that the baby would sink in to the pillow, but that he or she would be well in the position for nursing. Most of the best pillows have a cover that can be removed and washed easily, you can even get different kinds of spare covers if you so wish to do.
By Caitlin Orser

Read More

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Baby Blanket Pillows

Baby Blanket pillows are a sweet way to reuse all of those wonderful baby blankets your little one has acquired in the first year of their life. If you find yourself with too many Baby Blankets or you simply want to create a matching set of bedding for your baby, then try making these Baby Blankets into pillows.I love making simple pillow covers out of old Baby Blankets. You can easily sew great looking Pillow covers out of almost any old Baby Blanket. Solid colored Baby Blankets work best, but really even those with designs can look great too.Now, if you are not lucky enough to have a bunch of Baby Blankets laying around waiting to be made into these simple pillowslip covers, then try checking out your local Goodwill or thrift store. I find Baby Blankets in all shapes, sizes, and colors for $1 all the time. Wash them with a little color safe bleach and you know they are clean!Now, to Make Pillow Slipcovers Out of Old Baby Blankets You Will Need:1 - 2 Baby BlanketsSewing MachineMatching Thread

ScissorsPillow or New Pillow InsertStraight pinsNow, I like to simply first lay my baby blanket out on a table. You want the good side facing down.Now, lay your pillow onto the Baby Blankets from the bottom. Place it so that the Baby Blankets wraps around it comfortably.Now, take your straight pins and outline the Baby Blankets making sure to pin straight lines on all four sides holding it securely around the pillow.Now, I like to unpin the bottom side and slide the inserted pillow out. This is optional though. It certainly is a lot easier to sew the Baby Blankets pillow slipcover from the sweater if there is no pillow inside though.Now, sew along the top and the two sides with your sewing machine. I recommend starting at the bottom left and working my way to the bottomed right.Now, I also recommend sewing this Baby Blankets pillow slip cover with a matching thread, you will most likely be able to see the thread at some point, so pay attention to detail.Now, you should also sew these three sides at least twice. This will ensure your Baby Blankets pillowslip cover stays together. You would not want the baby blanket to unravel.Now, cut of any lose thread and trim the three sides of the Baby Blanket down to about three inches away from the lines you just sewed. Do not cut on the bottom where you have not sewn.Now, turn the Baby Blanket slipcover inside out. Insert your pillow back inside and sew it closed with your sewing machine or by hand. This is when you really do need the matching thread so it does not show up so much.Basically you are finished. If you want to sew some sweet embellishments onto the Baby Blanket pillowslip cover I recommend using another piece of a different colored Baby Blanket.Cut out a square of fabric that is about three inches bigger in each direction than the shape you want.Now, before you insert the pillow and sew the slipcover shut you want to lay your piece of accent fabric onto the front of the fabric. Use a piece of chalk to outline your design or shape. Now, use the sewing machine to sew along the chalk line. You need to bunch the other side up so you do not sew through bow sides of the pillow cover. It will keep you from inserting your pillow if you do.Now, take your scissors and trim off about ? to 1-inch away form the line you sewed outlining the shape. Remove any excess fabric then insert the pillow and sew it closed!

By RS

Read More

Friday, November 21, 2008

A Baby Sleep Pillow

A baby sleep pillow can serve as far more than a mere source of comfort for your child. Baby pillows can serve as small treasures: treasures that will last a life time. More than a decorative touch to any child’s nursery, a baby sleep pillow can be stored away and saved as a "momento" that reminds you of your child when they were small.As your baby grows older and comes to age he (or she) will look with a chuckle at his favourite accessories when the world was his playground.Baby sleep pillows come in all shapes and sizes. No matter what color your nursery may be, you are more then able to find baby pillows that match the room’s d?cor. Moreover, if you are looking for something extremely personal, you can easily have personalized a baby sleep pillow made for your child’s room. You can custom order baby pillows in pink or blue, in a variety of sizes and you can have your baby’s name embroidered on the service of the pillow. You can be limited to eight letters on your custom ordered baby pillows so if your child’s name is long, you may want to have your baby pillows customized with a nickname. You will find that most customized baby pillows are easily washable and are made of 100% cotton flannel.

If you are concerned about allergies, you can also purchase baby pillows that are made of all natural materials. Such pillows are made from all natural cotton and no bleaching agents are used. Moreover, the fill is made of organic wool and cotton and you can order the pillows online and have them delivered to your home.If you are overly concerned with what baby pillows might be made of, you may be better off making your own. You can select the fill and fabric yourself and there are patterns available on the Internet for you to follow. In fact, you may find that you enjoy making baby pillows and you can then start a small online business selling them if you so choose.

By: Kevin McShore

Read More

Blogger template 'Fundamental' by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008.

Jump to TOP

Blogger templates by OurBlogTemplates.com